On 19 May, forty cultural organisations from Leuven signed the ten guiding principles for climate action within the Leuven Climate City Contract. In doing so, they committed to actively embedding climate action into their organisations over the coming years, with a focus on climate, wellbeing and positive societal impact. They follow in the footsteps of 29 Leuven-based organisations, businesses and institutions that have already made the same commitment.

Their engagement also highlights something important: the climate transition is not only about technology, energy or infrastructure. Culture plays a vital role in how people understand societal change and imagine the best possible future for our city.

Culture as a driver of change

Art, music, theatre, literature and heritage help us make sense of change. They can challenge, inspire, move us emotionally and give us the courage to act. They make complex issues accessible, help us imagine alternative futures and enrich public debate. Perhaps most importantly, culture helps people feel part of change rather than merely observing it from the sidelines.

“Culture broadens our perspective. Through stories, images and experiences, it can make societal challenges tangible and encourage people to reflect on what is at stake. The climate transition becomes more concrete in this way: culture brings forward consequences, emotions and visions of the future that often remain invisible or difficult to grasp.” — Peter Bary, Director, M Leuven

This shared vision of a future where everyone can thrive is essential if Leuven’s climate transition is to succeed. The choices we make today are not only about emissions or energy consumption. They are also about health, safety, air quality, affordability and quality of life in the city of tomorrow.

An eleventh guiding principle: culture as a lever for change

With this signing, the cultural organisations are also adding a new, eleventh guiding principle to the Leuven Climate City Contract: Culture as a Lever for Change.

In doing so, Leuven 2030, the City of Leuven and the partners behind the Climate City Contract explicitly recognise the power of culture to help drive societal transformation.

“By embracing culture as a lever, we want to bring people together in new ways and encourage reflection on the challenges facing our world. Not from a political or economic starting point, but through shared cultural experiences, imagination and meaning.” — Peter de Caluwe, Director, LOV2030

The guiding principles help organisations embed climate action structurally within their operations. Climate action becomes not a temporary project, but a way of working that influences decisions, partnerships and everyday choices.

Today, more than thirty Leuven partners are already collaborating on breakthrough projects focused on energy, renovation, mobility, climate adaptation and the circular economy. These projects help make Leuven more resilient, healthier and better prepared for the future. But creating real impact requires more than individual projects alone. Organisations themselves must evolve as well.












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“Sustainability has featured prominently in our policy plan for many years, with climate as a key component. For us, committing to the Leuven Climate City Contract by endorsing these guiding principles is therefore a natural step.” — Annelies Claessens, Business Coordinator, Cirkus in Beweging

Leuven Climate City Contract and LOV2030: A natural connection

The fact that the signing took place during the LOV2030 Summit was no coincidence.

LOV2030 is the organisation behind Leuven & Beyond, Leuven’s successful bid to become European Capital of Culture 2030. Through HumanNature, the programme that secured the title, LOV2030 aims to demonstrate how culture can contribute to a city where people, society and the living environment are more deeply connected.

The teams behind the LeuvenClimate City Contract (including the City of Leuven and Leuven 2030) and LOV2030 share a common conviction: major societal challenges require collaboration across sectors. By working together, we can create a movement that extends far beyond individual organisations or projects and accelerate progress collectively.

That is why we are actively exploring connections between the LOV2030 programme and the Leuven Climate City Contract. Several projects from the Climate City Contract, for example, have also been incorporated into LOV2030’s bid book.

“LOV2030 starts from the relationship between people and nature. And when you reflect on nature, you quickly arrive at our planet and the challenges of the climate transition. For us, sustainability is also about building together: from the ground up, through co-creation and alongside people. That is why I see a strong connection between LOV2030 and the Leuven Climate City Contract.” — Leen van Nunen, Communications Lead and Daily Coordinator, Compagnie Tartaren

This cross-pollination between LOV2030 and the Leuven Climate City Contract is also what makes Leuven unique in Europe today. Few European cities bring together climate action and the cultural sector in such an integrated way.

In Leuven, artists, cultural organisations, residents, researchers, businesses and policymakers are jointly shaping a vision of what a fair, future-proof and hopeful city can look like.

From commitment to action

The signing marks not an endpoint, but a starting point.

Over the coming years, participating cultural organisations will translate the guiding principles into concrete actions within their own operations. This may involve sustainable buildings and mobility, but also programming, audience engagement, partnerships and awareness-raising activities.

“We try to integrate sustainability throughout our organisation: from food and packaging to lighting, which is now entirely LED-based. By December 2026, we will submit our policy plan for 2028–2032, and we intend to include a strong climate chapter with concrete steps to make our organisation future-proof and climate-neutral.” — Leen van Nunen, Communications Lead and Daily Coordinator, Compagnie Tartaren

In this way, the partners aim not only to contribute to a climate-neutral Leuven, but also to a city that is healthier, fairer, more creative and stronger for future generations.

“Our catering has been vegetarian for several years now, and sometimes entirely vegan. During international exchanges, this can be a real eye-opener for young people from countries such as Spain or Greece. We also regularly use recycled and second-hand materials to build costumes and stage sets: nothing is thrown away, everything is reused.” — Annelies Claessens, Business Coordinator, Cirkus in Beweging

The (now) eleven guiding principles

1. Together or not at all

We improve what lies within our control and use our influence where we can. We actively seek collaboration and synergies and respond positively to invitations to work together.

2. Focus on impact

We prioritise projects and processes that deliver the greatest emissions reductions. This focus is made explicit within our own sustainability strategies.

3. Socially just and fair

Our approach reflects the principle that those who emit more carry greater responsibility. In our projects, we also explore how we can create opportunities for people with fewer financial resources.

4. Embedded in finance

We implement climate budgeting. We choose sustainable financing options and contribute, within our means, to financing the transition.

5. Transparent

We are open about our commitments and communicate publicly about the progress of our projects.

6. Buildings as a key lever

For major construction projects, both new builds and renovations, we choose fossil-free energy systems. We also explore how these investments can reduce emissions beyond the boundaries of the project itself.

7. Understanding material use

We reduce indirect emissions from materials through alternative material choices and increased reuse.

8. More local renewable energy

We install more solar panels on our roofs. For major construction projects, we systematically investigate opportunities for renewable heating solutions.

9. Visible mobility choices

We make decisions that visibly reduce travel demand, encourage active mobility and promote cleaner vehicles.

10. Climate resilience

We create more space for water and greenery on our sites to help absorb the impacts of heatwaves, flooding and other local climate risks.

11. Culture as a lever for change

Artistic projects contribute to greater climate awareness and encourage behavioural change. LOV2030 creates bold new connections that strengthen the resilience of our city.